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Gary Anderson’s verdict on each F1 team’s testing pace.
The start of the 2023 Formula 1 season is just around the corner and as we have seen from pre-season testing that corner has been been a bit easier to manoeuvre for some than others.
27/02/2023, 05:25
By Gary Anderson
The Race
Using headline times from testing is always very difficult, and includes all the normal caveats like time of day, track conditions, wind, tyres, engine modes and on top of all that fuel load. 1st – Red Bull - Visually the RB19 is an evolution of last year’s car. THE BIG QUESTIONS: Will Red Bull adopt a number one and number two driver from the get-go? After the passing of Dietrich Mateschitz, will the new structure at Red Bull’s head office want more of an input?
2nd – Ferrari +0.50% - The car is again, like the Red Bull, developed from the same DNA as last year’s, but with a push to reduce drag even if that costs a little in the corners. The big questions: Have we seen the extra power of the Ferrari engine unleashed yet? When will the loss of Mattia Binotto – who was and still is one of the best technical brains in F1 – be felt?
3rd – Aston Martin +0.73% If any team is happy to follow the lead of another team it’s Aston Martin. When the team changed to its ‘B-spec’ car midway through 2022 it followed the family resemblance of the Red Bull and this new car takes that even further. The big questions: If Aston Martin starts the season at this level, will it be able to carry it through for a full season? Will the integration of all those new people and placing them in the new factory be a distraction?
‘4th – Mercedes +1.12%, 5th – Alfa Romeo +1.49%, 6th – Haas +1.54%, 7th – Alpine +1.80%, 8th – McLaren +1.86%, 9th – Williams +1.86%, 10th – AlphaTauri +2.12%’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/gary-...after-testing/
Max Verstappen may have new rival to F1 throne as Red Bull's Christian Horner impressed
Max Verstappen is aiming to win his third Drivers' Championship title in as many seasons over the course of the upcoming campaign.
20:29, Sun, Feb 26, 2023
By Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has suggested that Aston Martin could be set to emerge as their biggest contenders as Max Verstappen seeks another Drivers' Championship triumph over the next few months. The Dutchman is the early favourite to claim the end-of-season honours for a third successive year after impressing in pre-season testing and will be looking to make the perfect start to his title defence by winning next weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.
Red Bull looked a cut above their rivals over the course of last week's three-day test and will seemingly go into this year's curtain-raiser at the Bahrain International Circuit with the quickest car on the grid. However, it has been claimed by Horner that Aston Martin could be the ones to watch in 2023 after being left impressed by their simulation data and impressive testing pace.
"I think they’ve made a big step," said Horner when quizzed on Aston Martin's recent progress. "It looks like their concept of car has moved them forward and they look like they’re not too far away, so Fernando [Alonso] in particular looks very competitive."
‘Aston Martin could be set to emerge as their biggest contenders’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Horner-F1-news
Aston Martin hold back expectations: No miracles in F1
27 February 8:00AM
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365
The Aston Martin team looked to had have a successful three days of testing in Bahrain, but team boss Mike Krack is cautious to make any quick judgements on their form. Aston Martin have expressed caution over their form after impressing many during F1 pre-season testing.
The lap times put in by Fernando Alonso seemed to indicate that the team could be in for a change of fortunes in 2023, with the squad appearing to have made a genuine step forward for 2023. But Team Principal Mike Krack believes it is difficult to make any quick judgements on their form, given their prior expectations being quashed once they reached the first race weekend.
"It's very difficult on such a test to to make a proper judgement," he told media, including RacingNews365.com. "Last year we were P4, P4, P10 over the three days [and] we seem very similar now, and in the race weekend we were out in Q1. Just to tell you how much a test like that can give you an indication of where you are."
‘Aston Martin hold back expectations’;
https://racingnews365.com/aston-mart...miracles-in-f1
Five drivers under the most pressure ahead of the F1 2023 season
26 Feb 2023 8:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
As the F1 2023 season approaches, there are some drivers under greater pressure than others to deliver a standout campaign. Oscar Piastri - As soon as McLaren decided to go through the hassle and expense of terminating the contract of Daniel Ricciardo, an eight-time grand prix winner, one year early, there was always going to be pressure on whoever took over from him.
Sergio Perez - Both Red Bull drivers expect stronger competition in F1 2023, which instantly means Perez will have to up his game if he does want to give Red Bull that first Drivers’ Championship one-two. Yuki Tsunoda - “A driver needs at least three years of learning to drive at the top level” in Formula 1 says AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost, and F1 2023 will be year three for Tsunoda.
Logan Sargeant - Carrying the weight of expectation from his nation, as well as that of Formula 1 in many ways since a competitive American driver could be lucrative, this really is a difficult task that Sargeant faces. Nico Hulkenberg - The pressure is on then for Hulkenberg to make it crystal clear why he deserves this opportunity. It is not necessarily a guarantee that Haas will be getting the same Hulk when he last appeared on the grid in a full-time capacity in 2019.
‘Five drivers under the most pressure’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-202...nder-pressure/
F1 teams ranked after 2023 testing
F1 pre-season testing saw some highs and lows for the team, and also gave us a glimpse as to where they stand ahead of the F1 2023 season opener in Bahrain
February 26, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport
10. AlphaTauri - The most inexperienced lineup on the grid completed the most laps at testing, but the car looks nothing special. 9. Williams - One of the best signs from the test was Logan Sargeant‘s apparent comfort in the car – the rookie put in an astounding 154 laps on the second day of the test and finished the day with the seventh-best time of the day as he was able to really push the FW45. 8. McLaren - This is where the distinction between ranking and prediction starts to change things. If McLaren do finish eighth in the constructors’ championship – just three years after ending 2020 in third – it will be a massive disappointment.
7. Alfa Romeo - How things have changed since the days of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi. Though not the outright quickest, the C43 looks friendly for Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu to drive. 6. Haas - Guenther Steiner described 2023 as Haas‘ best-ever pre-season, and the team seem really optimistic about the year to come. 5. Alpine - On paper, Alpine‘s test looked a poor one: second-fewest laps completed and slowest times of all, but it seems Les Bleus have plenty up their sleeve. 4. Mercedes - Another reminder that this isn’t a prediction for the constructors’ championship standings. Mercedes still seem to be dealing with balance issues as the car looks like it has a narrow operating window.
3. Aston Martin - Quite simply the talk of the test. Fernando Alonso‘s day three race sim was genuinely stunning and matched only by Red Bull, he seems right at home at his new team. 2. Ferrari - The team with the most question marks around them, after a pensive day one Ferrari seemed happy with their test but still look distinctly second-class to Red Bull. 1. Red Bull - Red Bull had the smoothest test imaginable – fastest lap, best long-run pace and the biggest issue they face was a loose sensor helicoptering off the back of Sergio Perez‘s car.
‘F1 teams ranked’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-2023-testing/
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Are Aston Martin ahead of Mercedes? Five key questions after F1 testing.
Could Aston Martin break into the top three?
27 Feb 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net
There is huge hype surrounding Aston Martin after a strong pre-season test in Bahrain. The Silverstone-outfit turned plenty of heads over the three days, with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner joining the growing number of rivals impressed by their car’s early performance.
Fernando Alonso’s eye-catching pace over both short and long runs had rivals concerned, leaving a shared belief in the paddock that the AMR23 is a genuine step forward compared to its predecessor. "In Saturday's Bahrain GP [long runs] such as it was, it would have been Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso on the podium ahead of the Ferraris and the Mercedes,” said Sky Sports F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz.
“Aston Martin had Red Bull worried from Day One, Adrian Newey (Red Bull's chief technical officer) mentioned them in the teams he's concerned about, the car is essentially good, it has some nice ideas.” While Alonso expressed caution over Aston Martin’s pre-season form, there is a real sense of exuberance at the team.
‘Ahead of Mercedes?’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/feature/102...ter-f1-testing
WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who aced 2023 F1 pre-season testing and who has work to do ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix?
27 February 2023
F1 Correspondent & Presenter
Lawrence Barretto
Formula One - Official Site
Winners: Red Bull - Red Bull’s RB19 remained a secret until it broke cover on Thursday morning at pre-season testing in Bahrain – but it didn’t take long to make a name for itself. Losers: McLaren - As Red Bull soared at testing, McLaren floundered for the second successive year. It wasn’t as painful as 2022, when brake ducts caused significant woe, but they still ended the test as the least prepared team.
Winner: Fred Vasseur - Ferrari ended testing as Red Bull’s biggest rival, the Scuderia racing through their programme across three days and successfully correlating on track performance with their wind tunnel and CFD data. Losers: AlphaTauri - On paper, things don’t look too bad for AlphaTauri.
Winner: Fernando Alonso - One of the key targets for Aston Martin and their new recruit Fernando Alonso was to produce a car for 2023 that gave them a wide platform on which to develop aggressively through the season. Losers: Mercedes - It might seem strange to put a team second in the qualifying pace rankings and third in the race simulation charts in the loser section of this feature, but is a measure of Mercedes’ ultimate ambitions.
‘Winners: Williams, Loser: Lance Stroll, Winners: Alfa Romeo’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...p3nRBYgOj.html
Mark Hughes: What testing long runs say about F1 2023
Feb 27 2023
By Mark Hughes
The Race
These numbers are to be treated with caution because of the different times of day in which the runs were made. Those doing simulated runs on both days either improved a lot or the track was better on Saturday than Friday. Either way, with Red Bull not doing race runs on Saturday it leaves us without a good Saturday benchmark. But going off the gap between Red Bull and Ferrari on Friday and extrapolating it to Saturday, we get a competitive order something like:
1st – Red Bull
2nd= Ferrari/Aston Martin (+0.2s to Red Bull)
4th= Mercedes/Alpine (+0.6s to Red Bull)
6th= Haas/Alfa/McLaren (+1.05s to Red Bull)
9th – Williams (+ 1.25s to Red Bull)
10th – AlphaTauri (+ 1.45s to Red Bull)
There is huge scope for variation in interpreting the data, as much of it is not directly comparable. But this represents our best guess until the cars start running together and it all becomes real later this week.
‘Extrapolating Data’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-...about-f1-2023/
10 F1 teams ranked after testing - it's a horrific review for McLaren
27 Feb 2023
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net
Sky's Ted Kravitz has ranked all 10 F1 teams based on preseason testing in Bahrain, ahead of the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix, and it's a bleak read for McLaren and Mercedes fans...
10) Williams, 9) AlphaTauri, 8) McLaren, 7) Alfa Romeo, 6) Haas, 5) Alpine, 4) Mercedes, 3) Aston Martin, 2) Ferrari, 1) Red Bull
‘Norris ‘punches wall in frustration’ after McLaren’s torrid test’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102111...review-mclaren
Vettel F1 Comeback Ruled Out After Aston Martin Confirms Drugovich As Replacement
While it would’ve been great to see Sebastian Vettel again, it’s always nice to see a young racer get a shot.
PUBLISHED Feb 27, 2023 11:00 AM
byJerry Perez
The Drive
When Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll was deemed unfit to drive after injuring his wrist in a cycling accident, Sebastian Vettel was rumored to be one of his replacements for the season-opening race in Bahrain. However, after employing its reserve driver Felipe Drugovich for the preseason test, the team confirmed Monday that Drugovich would race at this weekend's grand prix should Stroll not be cleared to race.
The news comes as a bit of a shock considering Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack confirmed to Sky Sports he'd been in touch with Vettel after Stroll's accident. Whether the four-time world champion desired to race or not, Krack did not confirm, but it appears a brief stand-in was in the cards.
As the Formula 2 reigning champion, Drogovich isn't exactly a rookie nor is he unfamiliar with the AMR23. In fact, after clocking in 117 laps during the preseason test at Sakhir, he's far more up-to-speed with the car's performance than Stroll. It would make more sense for him to compete come Sunday than either Vettel or Stroll. However, the team won't tell him "yes" just yet.
‘Drugovich As Replacement’;
https://www.thedrive.com/news/vettel...as-replacement
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FIA sends "crystal clear" message to Ferrari over F1 car innovation which raised eyebrows.
Clever design tricks are always closely scrutinised in pre-season as teams lobby the FIA over what they and their rivals can and cannot get away with in the regulations.
18:11, 27 Feb 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
Ferrari have asserted that the FIA has made it "crystal clear" that its front wing design is legal for the upcoming Formula 1 season.
The FIA's reasoning for that was that the rules stated that the "primary" function of the slot gap separators must be for structural reasons rather than for aerodynamic benefits. Mercedes backed down because of it, but the rules changed this winter to give more leeway in this area.
So Ferrari seized the opportunity and incorporated the outwash-creating separators into their front wing design for the SF-23. And team principal Frederic Vasseur has explained that his team was sure to check its legality with the FIA prior to doing so.
"Crystal Clear";
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...l-fia-29327816
'F1 testing full of skullduggery - some teams just want to show sponsors they're quick'.
All F1 teams completed three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain last week, with the venue now set to host the opening race of the F1 campaign this coming Sunday.
18:15, 27 FEB 2023
BY Fraser Watson Sports Trends Writer
Daily Star
One former iconic F1 owner has described the testing in the sport as "skullduggery" after all teams went through three days of preparation in Bahrain last week. But Eddie Jordan, who named his own team after his surname before becoming an F1 pundit, has dismissed any notion of testing results being significant. The Irishman instead argued the more intelligent teams hold themselves back to get a better look at how their vehicles adapt to the surface.
"There's a lot of skulduggery that goes on with the teams, they're positioning themselves," he said, in an exclusive interview with OLBG. "Some teams want to be quick and show sponsors that they're going to be competitive and show young drivers a chance.
"The really sensible teams and the teams at the top, they'll be doing long runs, they'll want to see how the tyres are reacting to the new floor regulations. The floors have been altered to stop the porpoising, and hopefully that works but you never know what comes out of the woodworks when these cars get running."
‘Lot of Skulduggery’;
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f1...ordan-29327522
Martin Brundle smirks as he rubbishes Ted Kravitz's 2023 F1 prediction about Mercedes
Sky Sports pundits Brundle and Kravitz have both had their say on the balance of power among F1 teams after pre-season testing with Aston Martin looking rather strong
21:16, 27 Feb 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
Martin Brundle shared an opposing view to Sky Sports F1 colleague Ted Kravitz as he declared it is "too much to ask" for Aston Martin to beat Mercedes this year.
Some have gone even further. Kravitz feels they may well start the year ahead of Mercedes, giving them a potential platform from which Aston Martin could mount a challenge for a top three finish. "I've got them third and potentially even closer to Ferrari than that," he said after the conclusion of testing.
"That's to do with Fernando Alonso's race run. Aston Martin have Red Bull worried from day one, Adrian Newey [Red Bull's technology chief] mentioned them in the teams that he's concerned about. The car is essentially good and has some nice ideas."
‘Brundle and Kravitz’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...avitz-29328807
Explaining Mercedes’ curious lack of straightline speed in F1 testing
28 Feb 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net
Lewis Hamilton pinpointed straightline speed as an area for Mercedes to improve after F1 pre-season testing.
Mercedes’ W14 featured fairly lowly in the speed traps throughout the three days of testing in Bahrain, with Red Bull’s RB19 and Ferrari’s SF-23 leading the way.
The German manufacturer placed at the very bottom of the collective top speed charts, according to Auto Motor und Sport’s data.
‘W14 featured fairly lowly in the speed traps’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102113...eed-f1-testing
Podcast: What to expect from the 2023 F1 season
28th Feb 2023, 07:20
The Race
With the launches and testing done and dusted, we look ahead to the 2023 Formula 1 season getting under way in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. We explain why Red Bull and Max Verstappen are strong favourites and ask whether Ferrari might spring a surprise and unleash the extra pace needed to get on terms.
And with Mercedes having an inconclusive pre-season, we explain what its troubles were and what the chances are of it making a leap forward for the race weekend. Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin’s hopes of a stellar start are also discussed, along with Alpine’s prospects.
We also explain why the midfield group looks set to fragment this year as teams try to close the gap to the frontrunners.
‘What to expect’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/podca...023-f1-season/
F1 2023 predictions: Title winners, team-mate battles, driver moves and much more
28 Feb 2023 7:00 AM
Editor
PlanetF1.com
‘F1 2023 prediction time!’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-2023-predictions/
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Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin were faster than Ferrari in Bahrain race sim.
Fernando Alonso has claimed Aston Martin were “slightly faster” than Ferrari in race trim during pre-season testing, as preparations for the Bahrain Grand Prix ramp up.
28 Feb 2023 11:45 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Aston Martin roundly impressed during the three days of testing around Bahrain, with Alonso showing plenty of pace and reliability behind the wheel of the AMR23.
While testing times are famously not fully indicative of exactly where teams stand in the pecking order, the consensus among the teams is that Aston Martin have taken a big step forward compared to their position from last year, with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner saying Alonso looked “very competitive” from the off.
It’s not yet known exactly where Alonso and Aston Martin will stand heading into the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, but the two-time World Champion believes he could end up right among the frontrunners, if his full race simulation on Saturday was anything to go by.
‘Aston Martin were faster than Ferrari’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernan...aster-ferrari/
Is Aston Martin the third fastest F1 team? De la Rosa weighs in
28th Feb 2023, 12:45
by Fergal Walsh
Motorsport Week
Since the conclusion of pre-season testing, Aston Martin has been in the headlines as it is being touted to be a high-profile player during the 2023 Formula 1 season. The team has been tipped by some to start the season as the third fastest car – ahead of Mercedes, who is looking to bounce back from its 2022 slump.
Its form over the three days was impressive, with Fernando Alonso setting the most laps (270) of any driver in the field.
Although the true pecking order will not be realised until the opening round of the year, Pedro de la Rosa, who is working as an ambassador for Aston Martin, says there is nothing wrong with the team having high aims.
‘De la Rosa weighs in’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...osa-weighs-in/
F1 Predictions: Which Driver & Team will make the biggest improvement?
February 28, 2023
By: Nathan Reynolds, Managing Editor
Last Word On Sports
The LWOS Motorsport staff deliver their F1 predictions on which driver and team can make the biggest step forward in 2023.
With pre-season testing wrapped up in Bahrain attention turns to the first Grand Prix of 2023. There has been a lot of movement up and down the grid both in terms of drivers, team principals, and development. In this first round of F1 predictions, our team reveals which driver and team could see the biggest improvement this season.
‘F1 Predictions’;
https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...t-improvement/
The F1 teammate rivalries to watch in 2023
28 February 2:25PM
Author Anna Francis
RacingNews365
The 2023 F1 season is nearly upon us, with 20 drivers across 10 teams set to compete in 23 races across the globe.
Some of those drivers have found themselves in new destinations for the year ahead, with the likes of Pierre Gasly making a switch, while a few outfits – including the top three of Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes – have opted to retain their previous line-ups.
‘F1 teammate rivalries’;
https://racingnews365.com/the-f1-tea...-watch-in-2023
Inside the Piranha Club, the ruthless world of F1 politics
28/02/2023, 10:08
By Luke Smith
The Athletic
If you’ve watched “Drive to Survive,” you will know that a big part of the drama in Formula One doesn’t take place on the racetrack or among the drivers. It’s about politics.
Through the regular war of words between Toto Wolff and Christian Horner to last year’s Oscar Piastri contract saga involving McLaren and Alpine, Netflix has drawn in fans by exploring the sport’s political landscape.
But away from the cameras, there is much more to F1’s political battles and gamesmanship, making it a whole discipline of itself to follow. Welcome to the Piranha Club.
‘Ruthless world of F1 politics’;
https://theathletic.com/4258479/2023...-piranha-club/
Damon Hill’s theory on why Lewis Hamilton is yet to commit to Mercedes F1 deal
28 Feb 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net
1996 F1 champion Damon Hill has offered an explanation as to why Lewis Hamilton has yet to pen to paper to a new Mercedes deal. “Whatever the reason, Hamilton is out of contract at the end of this season,” Hill added. “And it is going to be fascinating to see his next move.”
“While both he and Mercedes have been saying for months that he plans to carry on, the fact remains that with less than a week until the first race of the year on March 5, nothing has yet been announced. It begs the question, why? One possible explanation is that both sides are waiting to see just how competitive Mercedes are before committing to a new deal.”
“If they start 2023 miles off the pace, perhaps Lewis will be less minded to sign a new long-term deal? Or perhaps it is the team who are dragging their heels? Lewis does not come cheap. He gives Mercedes a lot but he costs them a lot too. In George Russell they have a young driver who might be capable of delivering a title in the right car.”
‘Both sides are waiting to see just how competitive Mercedes are’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102115...rcedes-f1-deal
Mattia Binotto to "land on his feet" with new F1 role when Ferrari gardening leave ends
It is believed that Ferrari paid Binotto an extra sum of money to extend his gardening leave following the Italian's resignation as team principal at the end of last season
08:03, 28 Feb 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
Mattia Binotto will "land on his feet" after his Ferrari departure, according to his new Netflix bestie Guenther Steiner. Whatever happens, Haas team boss Guenther Steiner thinks Binotto will be just fine. And he may be the best judge of that, considering how close friends they appeared to be in the new series of Formula 1: Drive to Survive.
Both Red Bull and Mercedes have publicly distanced themselves from a potential move for the Italian. It may well be newcomers Audi who pick him up when they officially enter F1 in 2026, taking over the Sauber team which currently races under Alfa Romeo branding.
Respected Italian F1 reporter Leo Turrini recently said: "I'm sure that Binotto will be able to stay in Formula 1 after the gardening period. I am absolutely certain that he has had a proposal from Audi to lead the team that will be on the grid in the near future."
"Land on his feet";
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...am-f1-29329913
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Bahrain confirms bumper F1 season-opener attendance.
The F1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix will take place in front of packed grandstands after organisers announced on Tuesday that tickets have sold out.
Tuesday 28 February 2023 15:16
Sam Hall
GPFans
There has been a swell of interest in F1 in recent years with Netflix docu-series Drive to Survive assisting the championship to attract a younger generation of fans. This interest has clearly filtered down into the on-site attendance figures with the majority of races last term selling out of tickets well in advance.
Races across Europe and America enjoyed bumper crowds last season with the Australian Grand Prix attendance also worthy of note after almost 420,000 fans visited Albert Park across the four days. While the Bahrain International Circuit does not have the ability to host this number of spectators, its capacity listed as 70,000, the grandstands will be full with not a ticket left to be had!
‘Packed grandstands’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...season-opener/
What time does the 2023 F1 Bahrain GP start?
All the details for the start time of the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix
February 28, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport
The 2023 Bahrain GP starts at 6pm local time in Doha, which is 3pm for those in the UK, and 10am for viewers on the east coast of the USA. On the US west coast it’s lights out at 7am.
F1 fans in Australia will have to stay up late as the 2023 Bahrain GP begins at 2am on Monday morning.
What time does the 2023 Bahrain GP start?
Country Race Start – March 5
Bahrain 18:00
UK 15:00 GMT
Canada 10:00 EST / 07:00 PST
USA 10:00 EST / 07:00 PST
Ireland 15:00 GMT
Australia 02:00 AEDT*
South Africa 17:00 SAST
New Zealand 04:00 NZDT*
EU 16:00 CET
‘All the details for the start time’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/wha...rain-gp-start/
Bahrain Grand Prix weather: Three-day outlook for the F1 2023 season opener
28 Feb 2023 9:15 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
On Friday, when the opening session of the season gets underway, that being FP1, at 1430 local time, the conditions are set to be sunny with a temperature of 24 Celsius as the peak heat of the day begins to pass. There will be a gentle breeze and humidity of around 40%.
On Saturday, it is a 1430 start again, this time for FP3, where 24c will be the temperature, perhaps climbing to 25c before the session is over. A gentle breeze will greet the drivers, with humidity at 40% and zero risk of rain.
Then it is onto Sunday, otherwise known as the first race day of F1 2023! The Bahrain Grand Prix will begin at 1800 local time, with a similar level of heat to what will have been experienced on the previous days, 22c at lights out, and perhaps losing 1c by the time the chequered flag appears.
‘Bahrain Grand Prix weather’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/2023-b...-prix-weather/
George Russell admits double world champion Max Verstappen is the favourite to win the Bahrain Grand Prix with Red Bull leading the way in pre-season testing... but the Mercedes driver insists his team can join the title fight
• Evidence from first two days of pre-season testing shows Red Bull are firing
• Double world champion Max Verstappen was the leading man throughout
• George Russell believes Verstappen is favourite, but has faith he can win too
Published: 14:27, 24 February 2023
By Jonathan McEvoy for MailOnline
George Russell conceded that Max Verstappen is favourite to win the opening Bahrain Grand Prix a week tomorrow, but believes Mercedes can push themselves into the title fight. The evidence of the timing screens across two days of pre-season testing suggested Red Bull are firing on all cylinders, with double world champion Verstappen the leading man.
Russell, on the other hand, suffered a hydraulic failure that curtailed his running after 26 laps. The Briton offered a balanced appraisal of progress – the Mercedes is not porpoising – when he said: ‘I definitely head into the season believing I can win the championship. 'At every point of my career I have gone in believing I can do that, but you take a rational view once you get to the track.
‘We definitely believe we will eventually have a car capable of getting into that fight. Having that next weekend might be a stretch. Red Bull are looking very stable, and obviously Max is performing really well. But we have always seen the strength of Mercedes’ development rate.’
‘Insistent his team can join the title fight’;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rand-Prix.html
Fernando Alonso explains why he's 'hurt' on eve of Aston Martin F1 debut at Bahrain GP
Fernando Alonso will make his Aston Martin debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, and he had impressed during pre-season testing.
20:55, Tue, Feb 28, 2023
By Joshua Lees
Daily and Sunday Express
Formula 1 legend Fernando Alonso has admitted he is 'hurt' ahead of his debut for Aston Martin at this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix. The Spaniard enters the 2023 campaign as the grid's most experienced driver, with the upcoming season his 21st behind the wheel.
The Spaniard was out testing the new car without his new teammate Lance Stroll. This comes after the Canadian was ruled out through injury, following an accident whilst out cycling earlier this month.
And despite returning some impressive numbers, Alonso has admitted not having Stroll behind the wheel has not been ideal for their preparation. He said: "We are learning a lot about the car, I think this car is very different compared to last year. We are changing a lot of things.
‘Not having Stroll behind the wheel has not been ideal for their preparation’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ain-GP-F1-news
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“We didn’t develop fast enough” – McLaren explain efficiency problems and target fix.
Andrea Stella: “It’s not an effect of the changes of regulations and we didn’t take a step backwards,” he admitted. “We just didn’t develop fast enough.”
Posted on 1st March 2023, 12:44
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
2023 F1 season. McLaren gave the first hints at a lack of satisfaction with their MCL60
RaceFans
The team’s sub-par start to testing did not come as a shock, Stella admitted. “Our performance is pretty much where I expected it to be. No surprises. The data correlates with what we were expecting from an aerodynamic point of view.” Stella said there are also “no surprises” about their likely situation “performance-wise” and position in the pecking order, despite the difficulty of assessing times from testing.
“We know we have work to do, but if we think about this season of the season is long, there can be variations in the competitive order,” said Stella. “Like I said already at the car launch we know there’s good development rate, that’s where we are focusing. I think the start, we have to be realistic, but in terms of looking ahead to the season, we remain optimistic.”
McLaren plans to bring performance upgrades for its car in areas it believes some of its rivals are already exploiting with their 2023 designs. “In Formula 1, the material you have right now, trackside, is material that you had two or three months ago in development,” Stella explained. “So the good news is that we have good development streams going on, they will land trackside in some weeks.”
‘We know there’s good development rate, that’s where we are focusing’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/03/01/...nd-target-fix/
Lewis Hamilton 'could quit F1 and retire' if Mercedes car not up to scratch.
Former world champion Damon Hill has explored Lewis Hamilton's avenues in Formula 1 as he once again heads into the final season on his current Mercedes contract, with retirement mooted as an option.
10:58, 1 MAR 2023
BY Tom Sunderland
Daily Star
The upcoming Formula 1 campaign could end up being Lewis Hamilton's last in the sport depending on the success of Mercedes' latest design. That's the notion put forward by 1996 world champion Damon Hill, who has multiple theories regarding the uncertainty surrounding Hamilton's contract. The Silver Arrows veteran is contracted at Brackley until the end of 2023, with team and driver yet to confirm any plans beyond that.
It's left Hill wondering whether Hamilton, 38, still has the same impetus to perform, though the former Williams and Jordan driver is confident the seven-time world champion could "carry on driving well into his 40s." Hamilton is currently tied with Michael Schumacher as the joint-record-holder in world championships won, and Hill questioned "will he retire" if the 2023 season finally produced that elusive eighth crown.
'Could quit F1 and retire';
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f1...etire-29341458
AlphaTauri’s Franz Tost: There’s ‘no foundation’ to report F1 team could be sold by Red Bull
1st March 2023, 14:49.
By Luke Smith
The Athletic
The boss of AlphaTauri, Franz Tost, has denied the Formula One team could be sold by Red Bull, saying recent rumors have “no foundation.”
“I had some very good meetings with Oliver Mintzlaff, who confirmed that the shareholders will not sell Scuderia AlphaTauri, and that Red Bull will continue supporting the team in the future,” Tost said. “All these rumors have no foundation, and the team has to remain focused for the start of the season to perform better than last year.”
‘There’s no foundation’;
https://theathletic.com/4264358/2023...ors-formula-1/
Eddie Jordan issues ominous F1 prediction for Lewis Hamilton ahead of new season
14:08, 1 Mar 2023
By Liam Llewellyn Sports Trends Writer
The Mirror
The F1 analyst provided fans with thoughts on what he expects to transpire at the top of the standings over the course of the upcoming 2023 campaign. F1 pundit Eddie Jordan expects Max Verstappen and Red Bull to dominate the upcoming season.
The Dutchman and his team were ruthless last year as the 25-year-old stormed to a second consecutive world title and Christian Horner and co won their first constructors crown since 2013. Lewis Hamilton, 38, who went through an entire campaign without a win for the first time in his illustrious F1 tenure in 2022, is relishing the opportunity to compete for this year’s title with his rivals.
But during a chat with The Metro, to the dismay of the seven-time world champion, Jordan expects a very similar outcome for the new season. “I think more the same. I think Max is so on top of his game, he’s so arrogant, he’s so aggressive, he’s super confident and he’s got another Adrian Newey car under him,” he said.
‘Ominous F1 prediction’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ction-29344909
Andretti-Cadillac’s F1 bid takes major financial hit as $600mn payout required
Andretti-Cadillac have formally begun the process of joining the F1 grid with the FIA.
1 March 2023
by Jack Devonport
Formula1News
The Andretti-Cadillac project continues to divide opinion in Formula 1, with the FIA continuing to disagree with Formula 1 and many of the existing teams. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has argued that companies as large as General Motors alongside Andretti can only be a good thing for the sport, making expanding the grid a no-brainer.
The current Concorde Agreement expires in 2025 and with Andretti-Cadillac highlighting 2026 as the perfect year to join F1, they will be subject to a new agreement which may see a much higher anti-dilution entry fee. With F1 growing significantly in recent years and the amount money involved in the sport increasing phenomenally, it is rumoured that the entry fee could be set to triple in the next Concorde Agreement.
This means that Andretti-Cadillac will have to fork out an eye watering $600m if they wish to join the F1 grid, granting every team $60m to ease their financial concerns. While this amount of money will certainly please the existing team bosses which are concerned about the project, it remains to be seen whether Andretti-Cadillac would be willing to pay $600m to fulfil their F1 dream.
‘$600mn payout required’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/andretti-...yout-required/
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Vasseur warns: Bahrain GP will be a "completely different story" to testing.
Ferrari looked a comfortable second in pre-season testing, but new boss Frederic Vasseur is confident things can change in Bahrain.
01 March 7:00PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Dieter Rencken
RacingNews365
New Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur says that the Formula 1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix will be "a completely different story" to pre-season testing. Testing in Bahrain ran throughout the morning and afternoon and into the night, with Ferrari's quickest time being set in 55 degree Celsius temperature.
However, both key sessions this weekend are set for 18:00 local time, at night when temperatures are cooler after sundown. Vasseur believes this could be a key difference, and was keen to point out that the test, was in fact, only a test.
Vasseur believes this could be a key difference, and was keen to point out that the test, was in fact, only a test. "What you have to keep in mind is that the race will be a completely different story with what we did this weekend," he explained to media including RacingNews365 during testing. "When Charles did the lap time this [test day three] morning, it was 55 degrees of track temp.”
"Completely different story";
https://racingnews365.com/vasseur-re...-in-bahrain-gp
Vasseur: Championship won't be 'won or lost' in Bahrain
02/03/2023 at 08:33
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com08:36
Fred Vasseur says Ferrari is well prepared for its opening stint in Bahrain, but the Scuderia boss insists the championship "won't be won or lost" this weekend.
"Testing was good and the three days last week showed that the car is matching our expectations and now we need to continue fine-tuning in order to get the most out of it," commented Vasseur. "One thing is clear: this will be the Championship with the most races ever, so no matter what the result, the title won’t be won or lost in Bahrain”.
"We know the track pretty well, but the changing air and track temperatures, as well as changing wind conditions, plus the new Pirelli tyres will make it very tricky to get the set-up of the car right. But both Carlos and Charles collected a lot of data during the three test days, so we should be well prepared for a good weekend."
‘Championship won't be 'won or lost'!’;
https://f1i.com/news/467310-vasseur-...n-bahrain.html
Red Bull source claims makes Ferrari claim ahead of 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix
Ferrari had the best straight-line speed during pre-season testing, whilst Red Bull had the best overall package.
1 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Red Bull appear to be slightly concerned about the true pace of Ferrari ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, with the Austrians having admitted that they “really don’t know” the Italians’ true potential.
The likelihood is, though, that Red Bull will be fighting for the win, with the Milton Keynes-based team believing they “know” what Mercedes and Aston Martin are set to bring to the opening round.
They have no idea, though, what threat Ferrari will offer them, with there being a real sense of secrecy amongst the Scuderia. “Talking with a source extremely close to Red Bull, confirmed me: “we know where is Mercedes (more or less), we know where is Aston, we really don’t know where will be Ferrari!”” said F1 journalist Giuliano Duchessa.
‘Best straight-line speed’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/red-bull-...in-grand-prix/
Sainz confident Ferrari can battle Red Bull on the straights in 2023
15:43 Wed, 01 Mar 2023
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Carlos Sainz is confident that the steps Ferrari have taken to improve its straight-line speed for the 2023 Formula 1 season will enable it to compete more with Red Bull.
“I don’t know the engine mode they’re [Red Bull] running and the exact rear wing compared to us, but I’m pretty confident we’ve done steps in the right direction in that sense,” he claimed.
“Part of the evolution of our car is to also try to be less draggy and try to get close to Red Bull on the straights. I hope that we can be close. Are we going to be quicker or not, or the same, or able to battle them on the straights? We don’t know,” the Spanish driver added.
‘Sainz confident’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...ights-in-2023/
Damon Hill feels Mattia Binotto ‘was thrown under the bus’ at Ferrari
01 Mar 2023 3:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Damon Hill believes Mattia Binotto was “thrown under the bus a bit” by Ferrari at the end of last season, as the former team boss tendered his resignation with the Scuderia. Hill and fellow former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa were discussing Binotto’s departure from the team, and De la Rosa praised Binotto’s foresight that he had while in the highest-pressured job in the entire sport, while Hill felt he could and perhaps should have stayed at the team this season.
“Mattia Binotto was really good for Ferrari in the sense that he was the one of the first team principals that actually could think long term, he was brave enough to think in the mid-long term at Ferrari where normally at Ferrari, I’ve been there and every decision is orientated to the next race, next Grand Prix. But Mattia was brave enough to during 2021 [to] diminish the development progress of the car and basically concentrate on the change of regulations from 2022.”
Hill agreed with De la Rosa’s sentiment, adding that keeping Binotto on would have been beneficial for the Scuderia – perhaps even splitting duties between him and Vasseur. “I think that Mattia did a brilliant job and I think he’d been thrown under the bus a bit, frankly,” the 1996 World Champion reasoned. “But I think the reason he has gone, has been as much to do with… his real skill didn’t seem to me to be running a Formula 1 team in terms of the race strategy.”
‘Thrown under the bus’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/damon-...-ferrari-exit/
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Wolff airs Mercedes catch-up concern for F1 season-opener.
Toto Wolff feels Mercedes will again be playing catch up in this weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix following a three-day test outing he claims was not the smoothest.
Thursday 2nd March, 2023 - 10:59pm
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Assessing what could unfold this weekend, Wolff said: “We didn’t have the smoothest winter test in Bahrain. “We had some reliability problems and struggled with the car set-up on day two. But the key objective was to learn about the car, and we did lots of learning.”
“We made good progress on the final day, which gave us directions to work on in the short period between the test and this weekend’s race. “It’s always hard to have a clear picture of competitiveness at pre-season testing, and even more so with only three days of data available,” remarked Wolff.
“Our expectations were that we would likely be playing catch-up to the front, based on how last year ended. That seems to be the case so far but we will only know for sure after this weekend.”
‘Mercedes catch-up’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/03/02...ncern-bahrain/
Wolff confident Mercedes W14 'is a car we can work with'
01/03/2023 at 15:19
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Toto Wolff says Mercedes is confident it has a car it can work with this season although it expects to play catch-up with its main rivals in the opening races of 2023. Wolff says Mercedes will likely begin its season in catch-up mode relative to Red Bull and Ferrari, but only the test of a full-scale race weekend will confirm, or not, that expectation.
It's only been about 100 days since the end of last year's F1 season, but Wolff says his troops are ready to kick into gear and go "flat out" from this weekend for the next nine months. The start of a new season is always exciting, whether you've been working in this sport for a few decades, years or weeks," he said.
"So much hard work has gone into the W14 over the winter and the anticipation to be get racing has kept on building. We will be going flat out this weekend - and are determined to keep that going to the final lap in Abu Dhabi."
‘Troops are ready to kick into gear and go flat out’;
https://f1i.com/news/467286-wolff-co...work-with.html
Wolff: Mercedes 'relishing' 2023 F1 challenge
01 March 2:00PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
Mercedes had a troubled pre-season testing, but boss Toto Wolff remains optimistic about their 2023 chances.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes his team are "relishing the challenge" of trying to wrestle back the Formula 1 World Championships from Red Bull.
"Nevertheless, we are confident we have got a car we can work with and are in a stronger position than 12 months ago. More importantly, we are relishing the challenge. This championship will be fought over 23 race weekends, and each one will give us an opportunity to improve."
'Relishing 2023 F1 challenge’;
https://racingnews365.com/wolff-merc...3-f1-challenge
‘There’s a worm in there’: Reason for Lewis Hamilton not signing Mercedes contract revealed
Lewis Hamilton is yet to ink a contract with Mercedes for 2024 and beyond despite the 2023 season starting this weekend.
1 March 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Hamilton will want to see an improvement from Mercedes presumably before signing a new deal, with the 103-time race winner still having the target of claiming an unprecedented eighth title.
Whether he’s happy to continue in the sport but not be challenging for victory remains to be seen, with Schumacher predicting that Wolff could have a massive issue should the car not be able to challenge at the front.
“There’s a worm in there,” Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. “They’re not hitting their goals or they’ve set the wrong ones. The car is still difficult to drive,” Schumacher said after Bahrain testing. “But the real question is, if Lewis is still behind, what motivation is left?”
“There’s a worm in there!”;
https://formula1news.co.uk/theres-a-...ract-revealed/
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff playing ‘guess what number I’m thinking of’
Lewis Hamilton is yet to extend his contract with Mercedes, something that he promised would happen over the winter break.
2 March 2023
by Jack Devonport
Formula1News
Former F1 champion Damon Hill has a theory about Hamilton’s contract situation, suggesting that he may wait to see how this season pans out before deciding his future. “For my part, I remember arriving in Melbourne at the beginning of the 1999 season and looking around at all the other drivers and thinking ‘they’re all 20 years younger than me!”
“Would I be going to a party with guys 20 years younger than me? Probably not!’ “I just didn’t want to be the ‘old guy’. I had seen that happen to my dad. He raced into his 40s and I vividly recall towards the end of his career all the talk about his age.”
Hamilton has admitted that he dreams of retiring as a world champion, supporting Hill’s theory that the legendary Brit could retire from F1 if he wins the championship this year and surpasses Michael Schumacher with eight titles.
‘Guess what number I’m thinking of’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/lewis-ham...m-thinking-of/
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Bahrain GP will exaggerate ‘league of its own’ Red Bull’s lead.
Ferrari and Mercedes drivers expect Red Bull to be “in a league of their own” in Formula 1’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, but there’s a faith the track may be exaggerating the gap.
Mar 2 2023
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race
Speaking in the FIA press conference ahead of the first race weekend of 2023, both Mercedes driver George Russell and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc acknowledged the evidence of testing showed Red Bull as being ahead.
“It’s definitely fair to say Red Bull are in a little bit of a league of their own this weekend in Bahrain,” said Russell. “They’ve had a…strong start,” admitted Leclerc, “Red Bull and Max seem to be very very strong.
“It’s only testing so it’s difficult to quantify by how much. But it seems that they are a bit in front compared to us. So we’ve got some work to do.” Leclerc maintained Ferrari had experienced a good Bahrain test with strong reliability and the full workload completed, but while “we didn’t show everything” the same was true for all of its rivals.
‘League of its own’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/bahra...ed-bulls-lead/
Lance Stroll to make F1 return at Bahrain Grand Prix after surgery for wrist injury
2nd March 2023, 13:53
By Luke Smith
The Athletic
Lance Stroll will take part in this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix with Aston Martin after missing Formula One testing last week due to a wrist injury that required minor surgery. Here’s what you need to know:
“It was frustrating not to be out in Bahrain for the preseason test and I was disappointed to miss the three days of running,” said Stroll. “However, given the injury to my wrist, the team and I felt it was best to focus on recovery so that I would be ready for this weekend and the long season ahead.”
“It was an unfortunate accident — I fell from my bike when my tire caught a hole in the ground — but thankfully the damage was not significant and a successful minor surgery on my right wrist fixed the problem very quickly. Since then, I’ve been working hard with my team to ensure that I am fully fit to compete this weekend.”
‘Lance Stroll to make F1 return’;
https://theathletic.com/4268141/2023...d-prix-injury/
Aston Martin chief calms Bahrain GP expectations after Alonso hype.
02 March 2023
Inside Racing
Aston Martin chief Mike Krack has tried to calm expectations ahead of this weekend's Formula 1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. The performance of the green team was one of the biggest stories from pre-season testing last week, with many pundits suggesting Aston Martin could challenge Mercedes as the third-best team.
Aspirations could be even higher over a full race distance too, with Fernando Alonso claiming his 57-lap simulation on the final day of testing was "slightly faster" than Ferrari's. Krack though isn't getting carried away by Aston Martin's apparent potential for a podium challenge at Sakhir.
“You know these dynamics that you can sometimes get, it’s like when word goes around the children at school,” he told the media. “So I think we need to keep our feet on the ground, expectations are always high at this time of the year, everybody wants to do well. We are realists. We have clear objectives: that is to improve compared to where we were last year.”
‘Tried to calm expectations’;
https://www.insideracing.com/formula...er-alonso-hype
Fernando Alonso sets Aston Martin target for 2023 Bahrain GP
Lance Stroll will join Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin for the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix
March 2, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport
Fernando Alonso played down Aston Martin‘s chances at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, and said they’re not aiming for a podium. Aston Martin were the talk of the paddock after a stunning pre-season testing, as Alonso completed a blisteringly quick race sim that was only matched by Red Bull.
However, despite several questions from journalists on whether he was aiming for the podium, Alonso refused to talk up his team’s chances. “We will give our best on the race,” Alonso told the media.
“But that’s not the target for us to be honest. It was very encouraging the results from the test and the feeling from the car, but it is just the start. I think we need to keep learning about the car, only one day and a half or two days of testing in a completely new car, new package.”
‘Aston Martin target’;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/fer...23-bahrain-gp/
Mercedes’ new rear wing revealed ahead of F1 Bahrain Grand Prix
2 Mar 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net
Mercedes have brought a new medium downforce rear wing to the F1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Mercedes opted to run a large double spoon rear wing throughout pre-season testing in Bahrain last week for better correlation and data collection.
The decision explained why Mercedes featured so lowly in the speed traps across the three days of running, with the German manufacturer placed at the very bottom of the collective top speed charts, according to Auto Motor und Sport’s data.
‘Mercedes’ new rear wing’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102127...-f1-bahrain-gp
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Lance Stroll will race in Bahrain this weekend with PINS in his wrist after undergoing surgery in the wake of pre-season cycling injury... as Canadian gets set to return in time for F1 season opener after missing testing
• Lance Stroll fell off his bicycle while cycling in Spain during the off-season
• It was touch and go whether he'd be fit to race this week - he has now confirmed
• Click here for all your latest international sports news from DailyMail.com
Published: 16:48, 2 March 2023
By Ben Nagle For Dailymail.Com
Mail Online
Canadian Formula One star Lance Stroll has confirmed he will be on the grid for the season-opening race in Bahrain this weekend - but with pins in his broken right wrist following surgery. In Bahrain on Thursday, Stroll confirmed he would be in the car for first practice tomorrow, telling reporters: 'I got surgery on the right one and the left one is just a bit banged up.
'Yeah, they're feeling good. A big push over the last 12 days since my accident to get me here. They're feeling good. I was in the sim yesterday, the day before. Feeling pretty strong.' Stroll's determination to return in time for the start of the season will have been made stronger with the impressive showing that the Aston Martin gave in testing.
When asked about the car's positive signs, Stroll noted: 'Yeah, it looks great. I think everyone's really excited. I'm excited to get back driving. It was painful to watch the test from a couch and not be in the car.' When asked if the car's impressive test was part of his reason for returning so quickly, he added: 'I want to have every chance to go racing. If I feel like I'm fit enough to race, with a bit of discomfort, I'm going to do it.’
‘Lance Stroll will race with PINS in his wrist’;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...INS-wrist.html
Lance Stroll confirms he broke wrist in cycling accident, will drive through ‘discomfort’ in Bahrain
02 Mar 2023 2:49 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com
Lance Stroll has confirmed he had surgery after breaking his right wrist in a recent cycling accident, but while he is set to race with a bit of “discomfort” in Bahrain, he’s confident he will be able to perform behind the wheel of the AMR23.
“They’re feeling good, a big push in the last 12 days since my accident to get me here,” Stroll told media including PlanetF1.com in Bahrain. “They’re feeling good, I was in the sim yesterday and the day before, feeling pretty strong.”
“The first few days were rough, it looked like it was going to be tough but then in the last four, five days it’s really been improving every day,” he explained. “I was feeling good in the sim yesterday, full lock, whole range of motion, so it feels good.” Stroll also confirmed he spoke to his doctors and that they are prepared to allow him to take part in Bahrain this weekend.
‘Will drive through discomfort’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/lance-...ling-injuries/
Stroll broke both wrists
02/03/2023
NEWS STORY
Pitpass
Lance Stroll has revealed that he broke both wrists in the cycling accident that prevented him from taking part in pre-season testing.
"I had surgery on my right wrist, so screws," he told reporters in Bahrain ahead of his track debut in the AMR23 this weekend. "It was just a small procedure, then physiotherapy and rehab to get me here.
"It hurts a bit but it feels good," he added, "it feels solid, nothing I haven't had before. I really felt like I could drive normally with a little bit more discomfort, but nothing that's stopping me from driving, like any excruciating pain or anything like that.
‘Stroll broke both wrists’;
https://www.pitpass.com/74576/Stroll-broke-both-wrists
Stroll reveals 'rough' injuries that nearly made him miss season opener
02 March 3:35PM
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Lance Stroll has revealed the extent of the injuries he sustained in a bike crash during his pre-season training for the 2023 Formula 1 season.
"It was a private matter. There was a lot going on; I was going into surgery, dealing with rehab, I didn't have a clear answer of how long it was going to take to recover. "I was just completely focused and motivated to make it here to Bahrain."
So far Stroll has only completed a handful of laps during the shakedown of the AMR23 at Silverstone, after the team launched in early February. Despite this, the Canadian wanted to give himself every chance to race in Bahrain but conceded that he would not be there if doctors advised him to rest.
'Rough injuries’;
https://racingnews365.com/stroll-rev...-season-opener
Alonso: Stroll return a good sign, shows 'desire to win'
02/03/2023 at 14:17
Phillip van Osten
Fernando Alonso says Lance Stroll's return to the fray this weekend is "a good sign" for Aston Martin as it shows the Canadian driver's fighting spirit and "motivation to win". Alonso said his team mate's plight reminded him that he raced last year with several broken bones in both of his hands as a result of his crash in Q3 in Australia caused by a hydraulics failure on his Alpine.
"In my case, I broke a few bones in both hands last year," he recalled. "So, until August, I was not fully recovered. I had some pain, but we love driving!" Alonso praised Stroll for his desire to return to the fray as soon as possible, insisting it sent a good signal to the team.
"I don’t know exactly what Lance has. It’s a private thing… he will check on the car, obviously," added the Spaniard. "It’s already very good news that he’s here and he will try. That shows his desire to win and his motivation to win with this team. This is even fighting for whatever position we can this weekend. He’s here ready to try. That’s a very good sign."
‘Stroll return a good sign’;
https://f1i.com/news/467388-alonso-s...re-to-win.html
